Saturday, 26 October 2024

Cute and Cuddly


Morning Peeps, at Allsorts this week's theme was selected by Lolo, she's taking a sabbatical at the moment so I'm doing the post on her behalf and it's Cute and/or Cuddly along with the usual Anything Goes option. We have two lovely stamp sets to be won.

Now if I panicked last week with our DP theme, this one sent me into total meltdown as me and cute just don't go together, but that's the challenge isn't it? However, I was lucky to win a voucher for Relatively Thoughtful a couple of weeks ago so selected some of the new Andy Skinner stamps with this theme very much in mind. 

The image above is called 'All you need is a hug" and hugging a Dog or Horse come right at the top of my agenda. I stamped the image with Versafine and did some very basic colouring with Ecoline pens, dragged ink pads down the base, stamped the sentiment which comes in the set, placed in a ready made frame within I aged a bit and finito.


This image is called 'Best Friends', using a stamp platform I inked the stamp with three colours of Elements, spritzed liberally with water and left for a few minutes to dry (leaving everything in the stamp platform). When dry'ish I inked the stamp again, this time with Versafine Pinecone and stamped to bring back the outline. So simple and ages since I did this but quite like the effect, the sentiment again comes with the image.


Now a Fairy for the current Path of Positivity challenge which has a focus on 'Growth and Change'. Under the pink evening sky (this is Fairyland remember) Seren is contemplating the events of the day and discussing with the Wallace Family what needs to be changed to make tomorrow an even better day. Additional stamps to build on the inked background are Wild Poppies, Leaf Spray and Snow Shrub and sentiment Embrace your Dreams.


Rudolph Days has rolled round again so here is my share. Another opportunity to indulge my passion for floral wreaths, all stamps are Lavinia, Holly, Mistletoe and Berries, the sentiment from my own Christmas Magic stamp set and Poinsettias Two Red Robins with liberal lashing of gesso and glitter. With the very public crash of Hochanda/Create and Craft my sentiment sets are currently only available from Stamp Addicts but a new outlet is in the offing.

32 comments:

Aquarius said...

You've certainly been busy with your inks and stamps to come up with these four beautiful cards, each of which is just perfect for the themes. Love the 'olde worlde' look of the first two and anything 'Lavinia' always appeals to me.

Liz said...

Four wonderful cards Brenda, but I must admit that the Lavinia fairy one is my favourite. xx

crafty-stamper said...

All beautiful cards but the first two are my favourites and love the techniques used-congrats on winning the stamps too.
Carol x

Marlies said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda. I llove the vintage look the two cute cards have. Lovely colours and design on the lavinia one and a beautiful Christmas one with the wreath. The flowers are a good add. Take care. Marlies x

meg said...

The cards featuring Andy Skinner stamps are beautiful Brenda,the colours you chose and techniques used perfect for the style of image, love your Lavinia and Christmas cards too

Lisa said...

Winning the Relatively Thoughtful voucher was a great stroke of luck! The Andy Skinner stamps you chose are perfect for your heartfelt theme, and your coloring with Ecoline pens adds a lovely touch. The Path of Positivity challenge piece is enchanting with Seren under the pink evening sky. And your Rudolph Days wreath is stunning with Lavinia stamps and plenty of gesso and glitter. Your creativity shines through in each card!

Gerrina said...

A lot to enjoy here in this post! Love the Lavinia one, but my favorites are the Andy Skinner stamps; they may be cute, but grungy enough to be not 'too' cute... Love what you did with them!
I'm not in the x-mas mood and do not have to make some x-mas cards so just like the wreath and keep thinking that I should make one with some of those little Lavinia stamps... You gave me a new idea... Hope you have planned a dun weekend and the body is working with the mind! Hugs, Gerrina

Chris said...

A whole gallery of beautifully stamped cards today Brenda, love the techniques and stamps used on the first two, perfect for the theme without making you too uncomfortable! A lovely, magical fairy scene and a beautiful Christmas wreath.
Hope you are feeling well, enjoy your weekend.
xx

ScrappyHorses said...

Wow, what a wonderful sentiment from this wise little fairy! Beautiful card with such lovely color and the flowers framing out the scene are perfect. So happy you shared with us at Path of Positivity! Katrina

Ellibelle said...

All four cards are so beautifully done. What a great technique on the second one, not one I've tried before but think I should as I love the effects. And great picks from your prize win, think those stamps are the perfect amount of "cute" to still be in your style.

Linby said...

You've done "cute" beautifully. I love the sentiment on the first one and the effect you achieved on the second one. The Lavinia fairy card is so pretty with a lovely choice of colours and stamps. Another beautiful wreath too.

Lynne said...

Four fabulous cards Brenda. I love the way you've made the two doggy cards and your fairy and wreath cards are so pretty with their gorgeous colours x

Pauline C said...

I love all of these Brenda. I always love an intricate wreath and this one is really pretty, and you have created a gorgeous magical scene with Seren under a pink sky. I love both the Andy skinner stamps and the inky techniques but my favourite has to be the second card … the way the spritzed Elements ink stamping has worked is wonderful and I must try it!
Pauline xx

Sarn said...

Loving the Andy Skinner cards and how you coloured them.

Your Lavinia fairy card is delightful, as always, and the Christmas wreath card is gorgeous.

Shocked to read the bit about Hochanda/Create & Craft disappearing. xxx

HilaryJane said...

Those first 2 are a bit different for you and they turned out brilliantly. Well done. The second 2 are classic Brenda and just as nice xx

Gail L said...

I think you have the cute and cuddly down pat!
Excellent cards!
You always create such a great scene with your Lavinia stamps!
The wreath is gorgeous!

KarinsArtScrap said...

these are beautiful cards and so sweet Brenda..........gr karin

Wendy L said...

A stunning selection of cards Brenda, beautiful stamping and inking, xxxx

Carol L said...

What a great foursome of cards you've created this week. You may not like cute and cuddly but you've mastered it in those two cards. I too love hugging dogs and horses. Loving the fairy stamp and also the Christmas make with the colorful wreath and pretty twine. Great job on everything Brenda, and I hope you're feeling well.

KraftyKoolKat said...

Four gorgeous creations Brenda, the top two are not your usual techniques, I thought you said you couldn't colour!!
Hugs
Cathy
xxx

Faith A at Daffodil Cards said...

WOW! You have been busy, what amazing work on each, I love the colour mixes and techniques of your first 2 cards, beautiful images too. I love that Fairy with the hedgehog, a lovely scene with beautiful colours. Then your holly wreath, so Christmassy, with the lovely sentiment. So very sad about C&C, I followed it, from practically the start.

Sarah said...

Wonderful cards Brenda and you have embraced the cute brilliantly with those gorgeous stamps. I heartily agree about hugging a horse or dog, that won't come as a surprise!! xx

Lorraine A said...

Gorgeous cards Brenda :-) the first 2 are just fabuloius! I love the images and your colouring!! the fairy and the Christmas cards are both stunning too :-)
I agree with you, cuddling animals is the best ;-)
Hope you have a good week!
luv
Lols XXX

Crafting Queen said...

Just adore the first two cards, images are so special. The other cards are fantastic as well. Anesha x

Conny said...

Wonderful cards, Brenda! The first two cards are really amazing!
Hugs,
Conny

Fiona said...

Brenda I love those Andy Skinner cards you've created - the lovely soft watercolour - I only have one of his stamps but I adore that one with the dog x

Pat said...

Fabulous set of cards Brenda, I love your cute and cuddly ones they are sweet images with great colours.

Pat xx

https://shinebrightandcreate@blogspot.com/ said...

Your cards never fail to amaze. A gorgeous collection Brenda - Michelle x

Helen said...

Beautiful cards as always, Brenda. Love your Christmas wreath design.

Thanks for joining me at the Rudolph Days Challenge.

Helen x

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous collection of cards Brenda, I love the Andy Skinner cards. Love the pretty colours on the Lavinia card and the added Poinsettia look fabulous with the Christmas wreath.
Avril xx

EmmaT said...

What a great take on cute and cuddly - which really works for those of us who don't do cute - such great images and i love the watercolour look. Gorgeous Lavinia and poinsettia cards too.

Greta said...

WOW! Your first 2 cards are absolutely wonderful, Brenda! Honestly, you're such a professional and can do any kind of card! Adore the wreath!